"Brother Faron really stole the money?!"
Thoma was currently busy cleaning the library, but that didn't stop Ellie from pestering him with questions. He stopped what he was doing for a moment and held a finger to his lips. Ellie covered her mouth with both hands before quickly scanning the room. Luckily, the only people that ever visited this old library were her and Thoma.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Ellie immediately returned to gossiping. "So it's true? I can't believe it."
Thoma rubbed his temples in vexation. He had accidentally spilled the beans about Faron to the young sister. Wasn't it bad that he had confessed such an important secret himself? He hadn't dared tell anyone else about the incident, except for her.
He couldn't help but trust and rely on Ellie whenever he saw her dazzling smile. Consequently, he was loose-lipped—on matters both big and small—during their conversations.
Ellie slyly peeked over at Thoma with a concerned look. Her mouth opened and closed as she considered questioning him further. She was a mature woman well into marriageable age, yet she still acted like a child at times.
Noticing her curiosity, Thoma couldn't help but let her know a little more. "It turns out that his wife was very ill."
"What? Is that true?" she asked in shock. "That's very serious. I haven't met her all that often, but she looked very kind. Is she seriously ill?"
"I'm not sure. Speaking of… I've heard she has improved quite a bit. Ah! This incident… don't tell the others about it! It'll put me in a tough spot."
"Of course! Don't worry!" She said, while confidently pumping her fists in the air.
Thoma smiled bittersweetly, and went to put a book on top of the bookcase. Suddenly, his vision turned hazy, then black. His grip weakened and he dropped the book he was holding. It landed on his head, causing him to fall over. Ellie watched as Thoma crumpled onto the floor with a loud thud. His landing launched a cloud of dust into the air, giving him a hacking cough.
Ellie held in her laughter and approached him. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," he said, fervently waving his left hand to shoo her away. "cough cough… Ahem! cough! I'm just getting anemic with age cough!"
"Why're you talking like some precocious child! Brother Thoma, you're still young and full of vigour! You were once a Hero, so please don't speak so pitifully about yourself."
Thoma covered his mouth, trying to stifle another bout of coughing, but his eyes shined at her praise.
"Is that so? cough cough…! Well, I'm still getting on in years"—he rubbed his aching back—"so my body's not quite in its prime. In fact, my cough still isn't going away. Could you get me some water?"
"Yes! Just wait here!"
Thoma watched her hurriedly leave the room, grinning despite the metallic taste permeating his mouth.
His heart hurt, and his lungs felt like they were being pierced by dozens of needles. His mind was muddled and his body wavered on the edge of exhaustion. He had barely managed to stay conscious when his vision faded in and out.
"Aaah!" he shouted as he noticed the blood on his hand. "…Poor health is bound to come with age."
Thoma wore a bitter smile as he wiped the blood from his lips. He was still alive, his lungs were still full of air, and he was still conscious enough to feel the pain in his beating heart. His body was suffering, but he wasn't dead just yet. How sad would Ellie and the children be if he were to pass away now?
Thoma put strength into his legs and stood up.
"This was once the body of a Hero," he said, trying to psych himself up. "Will you submit to a mere ailment?! He asked himself. "I'm still as healthy as ever!"
***
"Hah… hah… I thought I was still full of vitality, but it's still… hard. Ugh… To be so out of breath from merely walking up this hill! I scaled a castle wall when I killed the Demon Lord… Ugh! I guess you really can't fight time! If only it didn't pass so quickly! Thoma yelled in jest. He felt better after complaining to himself. "The weather is still nice, though!"
Thoma viewed a small open area on the side of the mountain while wiping his brow. It had just started snowing, so there were only a few piles of snow gathered in patches here and there. He saw a mountain hare hopping around and watched as the children chased after it, until they lost sight of it in the underbrush.
Thoma smiled at the heartwarming scene. He felt that all of his life's struggles had been worth it. Now he was able to watch the children—his children—grow up healthy and strong. Still, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret when he compared his current state to their boundless energy.
"You're still wearing that sulky expression. Aren't you ever so happy to see your cute grandkids playing? G.R.A.M.P.S?" Ellie snickered with a hand over her mouth.
She sat beside the rock that Thoma was on, with a mischievous grin.
He quipped back, "If you're going to mock my age, at least call me father. I'm not a grandpa just yet."
"See, I told you. You're still in your prime. A youthful young man!" Ellie spoke with conviction, as if she really believed what she said was true.
Thoma watched her silently, contemplating her words. Her silver hair fluttered in the wind, akin to a flurry of snow. The scarlet eyes staring back at him stood out against their semi-white surroundings. Thoma smiled at the sight.
"Yes, I'm youthful. However, it's a part of youth that's hard for me to achieve now."
"Hm?"
"No, it's nothing."
Ellie looked at him oddly, but she didn't press any further. Her eyes simply sparkled as she gazed at the snow-capped peaks in the distance.
"Beautiful," she murmured. "It's my first time seeing so much sno—wachoo!"
Thoma took off the thick coat he was wearing and draped it over her shoulders.
"Ah?! I'm fine!" Ellie protested in surprise.
"It looks like you caught the cold," he said, sounding concerned. "You're frail so it'd be best to keep warm."